The scholarship of teaching and learning, or SoTL, is research-based inquiry by disciplinary experts at the post-secondary level who seek to understand or improve student learning, and the teaching practices that facilitate that learning.
Through a series of discussion-based sessions focused on brief foundational SoTL readings,* attending short workshops, and developing a basic SoTL plan, participants in this graduate student** program will learn about scholarly, evidence-based approaches to student learning and to their own teaching.
Facilitated by Dr. Kiara Mikita (Postdoctoral Scholar, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning), the SoTL Foundations Program for Graduate Students aims to help participants learn to:
- Describe SoTL as a field and as a practice, emphasizing its key concepts, questions, and scholars,
- Use SoTL to begin asking meaningful questions about their own disciplinary teaching and learning experiences, and
- Develop a basic SoTL plan by identifying a meaningful question and appropriate methods for answering it.
Graduate students who complete this one-semester Program will be prepared to support, collaborate on, and/or conduct SoTL projects (e.g., as co-applicants or RAs on University of Calgary Teaching and Learning Grants)
Criteria for Completion
To complete the SoTL Foundations Program, participants must complete the following sequence within one semester:***
| Activity Sequence | Fall 2017 Dates |
|
1. Prepare for and participate in any four of the six scheduled reading discussion group sessions. (Through the registration system, participants will be supplied with a journal article or book chapter prior to each session.) |
September 19, October 3, October 17, October 31, November 16, and November 30. |
|
2. Participate in 3 SoTL workshops at the Taylor Institute. |
Participate in the two-hour Emerging Teachers Development: Introduction to SoTL and any two of the following four one-hour “SoTL Series” workshops: |
| 3. Develop a brief plan for a SoTL project with an explanation of how it draws upon the readings and discussion groups attended. |
Due December 15, 2017 |
Those who complete the Foundations in SoTL Program will receive both a digital badge and certificate of completion issued by the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning. The digital badge may be displayed on online portfolios, on social media such as Twitter and LinkedIn, and elsewhere, and the certificate may be framed or included in physical portfolios.
* Through the registration system, participants will be supplied with a journal article or book chapter prior to each session.
** Although this program is designed for graduate students, we will consider undergraduate students on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Dr. Kiara Mikita (kkokita@ucalgary.ca) with any requests.
*** Questions regarding the requirements and timing of the SoTL Foundations Program completion may be directed to Dr. Kiara Mikita (kkokita@ucalgary.ca).
